Gus Dur visits Theys' grave

JAYAPURA, Papua: The head of the National Awakening Party (PKB)'s advisory board, Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, visited on Tuesday the burial place of murdered Papua independence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay.

He made the visit while campaigning for the PKB in Jayapura, the capital of Papua.

Gus Dur, also a former president, was greeted upon his arrival at Sentani airport here by hundreds of PKB supporters and local residents.

From the airport, Gus Dur went straight to the grave of Theys, who was killed two years ago by members of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus). The grave is located just 200 meters from the airport.

The former president laid some flowers on the grave and then continued on to Yahim Sentani field to attend a campaign rally.

Boy Eluay, Theys' son, said he welcomed the visit, adding that Theys and Abdurrahman were long-time friends.

Speaking to about 6,000 PKB supporters at Sentani field, Gus Dur promised that if he was elected president, he would improve the lives of Papuans. -- JP